The City of Two Harbors and its many partners are proud to welcome the Festival of Sail Lake Superior Tall Ships events next week, Aug 4-7. Tall Ships Two Harbors 2022 has been designated by the United States Coast Guard as a Marine Event of National Significance (MENS). The MENS designation requires several security measures to be implemented to protect the attending public, event workers/volunteers, and visiting crews and ships. The public safety planning for this event includes numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement and emergency response agencies who have been working collectively over the last many months.

“There are many details and moving parts involved in bringing an event of this magnitude to our community and waterways, but I want the residents of Two Harbors and event-goers to know and understand, your safety has always been at the forefront of our planning and strategizing efforts,” said Chief Rick Hogenson, Two Harbors Police Department and Incident Commander for the events. “We have been working diligently to provide a well-planned, safe and successful experience for the community and visitors to enjoy. Collaboration has been the key to our planning efforts. We know these events attract a significant number of attendees, meaning additional traffic during the already busy summer season, and we ask for everyone’s patience and to plan ahead for delays if you’re traveling around the area. Whether you are attending the events or not, are on land or the water, we need everyone to respect traffic control and all event regulations and signage. We want this historic event to be a safe, positive experience for the whole community.”

Final planning efforts are still taking place. Our County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be active for the duration of the events and staffed by a unified command team who will be closely monitoring all activity.

Waterside & Parade of Sail – Moving Safety Zone

There is a 25-yard regulated safety zone established around the docked Tall Ships. There is also, a 100-yard moving safety zone will be in effect for the duration of the Parade of Sail on Thursday, Aug 4, departing at 11 am from Agate Bay. No recreational watercraft or boat is permitted inside either of the safety zones. The moving waterside safety zone will be enforced by the United States Coast Guard. No vessel may enter the safety zone and violators will be subject to fines and penalties as determined by the United States Coast Guard and its maritime partners. Only those authorized by the Captain of the Port Duluth or their designated representative can gain entry into the safety zones. You can reach the designated representative on VHF channel 16.

There will be Bravo Boats with yellow flags surrounding the safety zone that will be acting as indicators as to where the safety zone starts. The following image is a representation of the moving 100-yard safety zone around the Tall Ships with PSV representing the Bravo Boats and PS representing Law Enforcement agencies.

The Coast Guard and other waterside Law Enforcement agencies present during the event are there to look out for the safety of the general public, as well as vessels and personnel involved in the event. We ask that spectators watching the Parade of Sail from their boats do so at a safe distance and remember to have a life jacket as well as a float plan before getting on the water. For questions or concerns regarding the Coast Guard and their Enforcement Division, you can reach out to Marine Safety Unit Duluth at 218-522-0708 or Station Duluth at 218-529-3100.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION, EVENT LOGISTICS & SECURITY – WHAT TO KNOW

An information pamphlet outlining parking, traffic, shuttling and bus routes, along with how to make calls for help or a complaint, etc., may look like during the festival was mailed to all Two Harbors residents, and includes:

Police officers from the City of Two Harbors, along with Law Enforcement Officers from other agencies in northeastern Minnesota, will be present in the community to ensure safety, and respond to festival related complaints and calls-for service. All criminal investigations and complaints will be investigated by the police officers of the THPD. Please be aware that a Law Enforcement Officer from another agency may be the first to respond and help those in need.

IN NEED OF HELP OR HAVE A COMPLAINT

As always…if you have an emergency, DIAL 911! For non-emergencies call (218) 834-5566 or (218) 834-8385. If you are a victim of a crime, want to report a crime, or need help, your call should be handled by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center.

All festival-related questions or inquiries should be directed to Tall Ships staff, promotors, or visit the official website at https://lakesuperior.festofsail.com

If you have a festival-related complaint (parking, trespass, etc.) your call may be transferred to the Dispatch Center handling all festival-related calls for service.

PARKING

Lawful parking on the streets and avenues throughout the City of Two Harbors will remain during the Festival of Sail Tall Ships Two Harbors 2022, Aug 4-7.

Additional “NO PARKING” signage will be added throughout town and parking situations will vary throughout the community. A limited number of streets and avenues will NOT have parking allowed, some will allow parking on one side only, and others will NOT be impacted. A map is included in this post to show what will happen with parking in the City of Two Harbors. Those streets and avenues in RED, will not have parking allowed on them during the festival.

Festival attendees are being encouraged to utilize parking lots, currently all outside of the city limits of Two Harbors, for event parking. The festival website also states: “please do not plan to use on-street parking for the event”.

Temporary handicapped parking lots have been established near the Two Harbors Community Center for the festival dates.

Residents are reminded and encouraged to utilize off-street parking, when available.

TRAFFIC

Residents should anticipate increased traffic in and around the community and should plan for potential delays when commuting. Alternative routes should be considered.

We ask that people slow down and pay attention to signage. Extra signage will be utilized to direct festival attendees to parking areas, currently all planned for outside the city limits of Two Harbors.

Road closures will exist on our streets and avenues, in limited locations, with most of the closures being along the Highway 61/7th Avenue corridor. This has been done in conjunction with the MNDOT officials to ensure safe traffic flow along the corridor. No one-way traffic lanes are being planned.

BUS ROUTE/DROP OFF

A designated bus route has been established from the parking areas to the festival drop off site. The bus route utilizes Highway 2 and various streets and avenues in the City of Two Harbors.

A primary bus drop-off location has been identified near the Community Center and will provide festival attendees a centralized location to access the festival and our community.

STOP LIGHTS

The stop lights along the Highway 61/7th Avenue corridor will operate as normal. There will be NO flashing red lights or planned changes to their current operations.

A Law Enforcement Officer will be stationed at four (4) of the traffic lights along the corridor and will monitor traffic patterns and backups. Those Officers will direct traffic on an as needed basis, in an attempt to keep traffic moving safely throughout the community.

BOAT LAUNCH

The public water access at Agate Bay will remain open to recreational boaters and has approximately 32 spots. Overflow parking locations for motor vehicles and boat trailers are still being established.

ATTENDEE INFORMATION - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Entrance Into Mooring Locations for The Tall Ships

Any person who desires access to the mooring locations of the Tall Ships must have a paid ticket, authorized wristband, or event issued credential. Access will be denied if the person does not have one of these methods of entry.

What You Are Allowed to Bring In

All personal belongings, purses, and bags will be checked. No large backpacks will be permitted. Firearms, weapons of any kind, explosives, or incendiary devices are not permitted.

Coolers

Small coolers, no larger than five (5) quarts, will be permitted and may only be utilized to transport baby food/formula and prescribed medication. Baby food/formula must be in plastic containers. Glass, of any kind, is not permitted.

Water, Other Liquids and Food

Open or unsealed bottles or containers of water or other liquids and all food is not permitted past the access control points. One factory sealed bottle of liquid is permitted per guest is permitted.

“The Two Harbors Police Department is thankful for the networking and relationships that have been established, maintained or strengthened throughout this process with so many different partnering agencies, and would like to extend our appreciation to all those that have helped, offered suggestions and aired concerns,” said Chief Hogenson. “The Two Harbors Police Department wishes to thank the residents and business community for their support, questions and comments. We understand that not everyone may be happy with all of the regulations and outcomes of our planning efforts, but understand they were made in the best interest of the City of Two Harbors. The festival and the planning that goes with it has been a challenge for all involved, especially with our limited resources, but I am proud to have worked alongside each and every one of our local stakeholders.”